The novel became an instant fan favorite and quickly gained status as a classic in the romance genre. Asher pushed buttons and boundaries with a love story detailing an unapologetic affair. The heroine, Cathy, a woman caught between two loves, struggles through loss, passion, lust, loyalty and heartbreak.

Asher is the queen of creating stories of angsty, tumultuous love triangles. Her duology, "The Virtue Series," tackles another steamy love triangle with a controversial heroine, Blaire, a siren who is torn between two very different men.

To say readers have been anxiously awaiting the highly anticipated conclusion to "The Virtue Series" would be an understatement. "Sweetest Venom," the follow up to "Easy Virtue," and the second book in the series, was released earlier this month to glowing reviews.

MARA WHITE: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and how you started writing?

MIA ASHER: I'm a stay-at-home mom during the day and romance writer by night. I started to write when we moved to a new neighborhood and I didn't know anyone. It was during the wintertime, so we stayed in a lot. Writing became an escape for me.

MW: You recently admitted to your readers that you actually began writing the "Virtue" novels before you wrote "Arsen." What has the process been like for you coming back to this story?

MA: Yes, this is the first story that I ever worked on. When I started to write what is now "Easy Virtue," it was smooth sailing. The plot was flowing. The chemistry was there. But one day I woke up and the inspiration was gone. It's hard to explain. Their voices were just not there anymore. So I took a step back and lived a little. With time, I wrote again.

MW: Were these characters more of a challenge? How so?

MA: Yes, I believe the characters were the reason why it took me so long to finish this novel. I wanted them to go one way and they would go the other. They never behaved according to my plans or my plot line.

MW: Will there be a third book in the series?

MA: I don't think so. This should be the last. But, you know what they say : Never say never.

MW: What is your writing life like? Do you have another job as well? Do you try to write every day? Do you stay up all night when the muse is talking or do you adhere to a schedule?

MA: I try to write during the day when my kids are in school. Once they get home, it's really hard to focus. Between homework and making dinner and putting everyone to bed, writing becomes close to impossible. I only stay up all night when the muse is shouting, or during deadlines.

MW: Did you get a lot of criticism from readers after writing "Arsen," a story about infidelity — or more specifically, about a woman being the cheating spouse? Was that illuminating for you as a writer and as a woman to see how women responded to your character, Cathy?

MA: You know, when it first came out the response was overwhelmingly positive. I was (still am) humbled by the love "Arsen" received. There were people who hated the book and Cathy, but I get it. Cheating is a hard limit for many, so I respect that.

“Easy Virtue” kicked off Asher’s “Virtue” series that explores a love triangle.

I wrote" Arsen" because I wanted to explore how the perfect marriage, the perfect love could fall apart. In my opinion, there were no good guys or bad guys in the story. Just regular people who made mistakes and who had to live with the consequences.

MW: A lot of your readers and followers use the hashtag, #TeamBlaire. She's a very polarizing character and readers obviously feel strongly about her. Can you explain what the hashtag means for those who don't know?

MA: The "Virtue" series is about Blaire. She's a gold digger who gave up on love a long time ago. She doesn't believe in it. She doesn't think she's worthy of it. #TeamBlaire is for those who are rooting for Blaire to find true happiness in the end — with or without a man.

MW: What draws you to love triangles? Which are some of your favorites you've read? Which other genres do you read outside of romance?

MA: You're going to laugh. I like to write love triangles. However, I'm not crazy about reading them. Don't get me wrong, I'll read a book if it has one, but they are not my top choice. I think it's the angst. I'm afraid of it as a reader and how it makes me feel.

For my next book, I'm going to avoid them. It's almost a personal challenge to see if I can write something without one.

I love to read historical fiction. It's my favorite genre.

MW: What are some of the best things about being an indie author?

MA: The community of readers, bloggers and authors. Definitely. The support and love is incredible and so humbling.

Mara White is a contemporary romance and erotica writer who laces forbidden love stories with hard issues, such as race, gender and inequality. She holds an Ivy League degree but has also worked in more strip clubs than even she can remember. She is not a former Mexican telenovela star contrary to what the tabloids might say, but she is a former ballerina and will always remain one in her heart. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children and yes, when she’s not writing you can find her on the playground. She is the author of “The Heightsbound Series,” a tale of forbidden love that takes place in New York City's Washington Heights.

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